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City Council approves fee increase, parks planning grant application and a package of routine municipal contracts
Summary
Council approved a budget amendment and a slate of resolutions — including a $500 intermunicipal liquor-license application fee, fireworks and engineering contracts, a deed restraining use at 8 Mechanic Street, and a DCNR planning grant application for Sand Island and two other parks — each passed 6-0.
The Bethlehem City Council unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions Monday, including a modest fee increase for local processing of liquor-license transfers and a resolution authorizing a grant application for park planning.
Key votes and outcomes
- Liquid fuels fund budget amendment (Bill 18, 2026): Passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10A — Liquor-license application processing fee: Council raised the city fee for intermunicipal liquor-license transfer applications from $200 to $500 to cover rising legal advertising and administrative costs; the resolution clarifies local processing and posting requirements but does not change state statutory license rules. It passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10B — Fireworks contract: The mayor and controller were authorized to execute a $35,000 contract with American Fireworks Company to provide the annual Fourth of July show; passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10C — Penn Forest debris-basin engineering: Council authorized a $31,560 contract with Van Cleef Engineering Associates for rehabilitation engineering; passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10D — Deed and restrictive covenants for 8 Mechanic Street: Council approved executing a deed that retains city ownership while applying covenants to restrict recreational use on specified parcels, part of Greenway land-management adjustments; passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10E — Levitt Pavilion use permit (ArtsQuest): Approved the use permit for the 2026 concert series on First Street (May 15–Sept. 12); passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10F — DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant application: Council authorized staff to apply for up to $250,000 to fund planning for Sand Island, Saucon Park and Monocacy Park. Council clarified the request covers planning only; any specific projects would undergo future public engagement and contracting. Passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10G — Complete Streets amendment (Kittelson & Associates): Approved Amendment 1 to evaluate adding Stefko Boulevard to the bike-infrastructure study; passed 6-0.
- Resolution 10H — Certificate of appropriateness, 449 Linden Street: Council approved exterior fence and gate changes for the property; passed 6-0.
Council members and staff said the package mainly updates administrative fees and advances planned park and infrastructure work. On the liquor-license item, members emphasized the local resolution governs city processing and posting requirements but does not alter state-level statutory transfer rules; a member of the public had urged more transparency on identifying restrictive institutions near proposed premises.
Next steps: Staff will execute awarded contracts and proceed with planned procurements and grant applications; planning funded by DCNR application would be followed by public engagement if awarded.
